Investigating UK microbes and why they are essential for our health
06 July 2018
This weekend microbiology will be brought back to our screens, with microbiologists conducting a variety of experiments with the hope of changing the public’s perception of bacteria.
Presented by Kate Quilton, Dr Joe Latimer and Dr Lisa Cross, the show will explore the bacteria – good and bad – in our environment.
The microbial profiles of two British homes will be analysed as well as a wider ‘swabathon’, during which 14 locations across the UK are tested for bacteria. The show hopes to demonstrate the level of bacterial diversity in various environments, and to demonstrate that the majority of bacteria we encounter are not harmful.
To help demonstrate the importance of bacteria for our health, microbiologists Professor Nick Loman and Dr Arwyn Edwards tested the microbiological profiles of festival-goers. They found that over the course of the festival, the microbiome of the guests had improved. The research also showed that those sharing a tent with their dog had a more diverse, healthy microbiome.
This Sunday, ‘The Great British Germ Hunt’ will air on Channel 4 at 19:00 BST.
Image: Thinkstock/artisteer.
